DHAKA: Annette Dixon, the Vice President World Bank (WB) for South Asia Region, will arrive in Dhaka on Saturday to build on the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the World Bank Group.

WB Dhaka office sources informed that she will reach Dhaka in the afternoon and will stay there till Wednesday.

During her visit, Dixon will meet with senior government officials, including the Finance Minister, as well as private sector and civil society leaders. 

She will discuss how the World Bank can best support efforts to make economic development more inclusive while ensuring good governance and strengthening the country’s own institutions. She will also visit World Bank-financed projects in Bangladesh.

This is Dixon’s first visit to Bangladesh since assuming her position on December 15, 2014.

Communication officer Mehrin Mahbub of WB Dhaka office told banglanews that the vice president will also visit World Bank-financed projects in Bangladesh.

In a statement sent from WB headquarters in Washington, Dixon said for the World Bank, Bangladesh is an important partner in the fight against global poverty. This is shown by the fact that Bangladesh is the largest recipient of the International Development Association, the World Bank’s fund for the world’s poorest countries.”

Dixon added: “Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in reducing poverty and advancing human development, and has the potential to do even more. The World Bank Group is committed to support Bangladesh in overcoming poverty and boosting shared prosperity as quickly as possible to provide opportunities for all its people.”

The World Bank is now preparing the Bangladesh Country Partnership Framework that will guide the Bank’s engagement in Bangladesh over the next few years. Since 1972, the World Bank has committed more than $19 billion to support growth and development of the country. The World Bank’s current IDA portfolio in Bangladesh stands at $7.5 billion with 32 projects.

BDST: 1702 HRS, FEB 20, 2015